Abstract

THE EFFECT OF BLACK PALM KERNEL OIL ON THE WOUND HEALING PROPERTIES OF CICATRIN POWDER

Anaduaka Nnamdi Reginald* and Prof. Matthew J. Okonta

ABSTRACT

Conventionally, the uses of herbal supplement and orthodox medication simultaneously have been gaining momentum. Concurrent use of orthodox and herbal medicine is on the increase because of the safety and effectiveness of the medicinal plants. There has been ethno pharmacological claims on enhanced healing activity of the combination of Black Palm Kernel Oil (BPKO) with cicatrin even without scientific prove. Objectively, this study was carried out to establish the effect of the concomitant administration of black palm kernel oil and cicatrin on wound healing activity using Wistar Rats Model. As a methodological investigation, a total of 55 Wistar albino rats (both sexes) weighing between 80 to 100 g were obtained and divided into 11 groups of 5 animals each. Wound was inflicted on the animals and infected with gram positive and gram negative organism (S. aureus and E. coli). Treatment commenced when infection was established at the lesion site. The wound diameter was determined and the wound healing rate was determined using SPSS version 20 and Excel worksheet. As a result, wound bioload count coupled with measure of wound contraction allowed the evaluation of the combined agents. The results showed that there were significant reductions in microbial load accompanied with contraction of wound from day 3 to day 19 for all the groups. Group 4 was observed to have demonstrated the best inhibitory activity evident by a complete absence/clearance of visible colonies. Also, group 4 demonstrated good contraction of wound. The microbial as well as pharmacological activities demonstrated by the combination may be attributed to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and sterols. Effectively, Elaeis guineens extract in combination of cicatrin possess synergistic wound healing effects against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds. Thus suggests, a positive compatibility of these agents.

Keywords: Palm kernel oil, Cicatrin powder, wound healing, Escherichia. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, combination.